Men’s Soccer Dismissed in First Round of NCAA Tourney

The Colgate men’s soccer team had a marvelous season this year, winning the Patriot League Title for the second year in a row. The team has undeniably become the powerhouse in the Patriot League. Unfortunately the season came to an end in the first round of the NCAA tournament with a 2-0 loss to Boston College.

Right off the bat it seemed that the Raiders were prepared to grab the game by the horns, as they put the pressure on the Golden Eagles. Their best opportunity came but nine minutes into the first half, as sophomore Steven Miller got a cross from Jeff Leach, only to put the shot just wide of the right post.

After that near goal, Boston College grabbed control of the first half and their first goal came a few moments later. The Golden Eagles had numerous opportunities, as the ball seemed as if it wouldn’t leave the Colgate side of the field. Finally at 26:28, BC’s Shawn Chin capitalized. Chin received a beautiful cross in the box and touched it into the right corner, out of the reach of a sprawling David Cappuccio.

Boston College kept the pressure on the Raiders after the first goal, but the Colgate defense stepped up to keep the score at 1-0. Alejandro Bedoya, author of the cross that had led to BC’s first goal, had a great look at goal, only to have Colgate captain Daniel Kerley there to block the shot. Only a short while later Bedoya set up teammate Edvin Worley with a cross in front of the net, but Cappuccio grabbed the ball this time, making a nice save.

The Golden Eagles constant pressure eventually led to positive results though, as they notched their second goal with just over four minutes left in the half. Chin took a corner kick for BC, putting the ball in a perfect spot for Worley, who headed the ball into the upper right corner. The two teams went into the half with the score 2-0.

As the second half began the Raiders had a change in goal, as first year Chris Miller filled in for David Cappuccio, who left with an apparent injury. The Golden Eagles kept up the pressure like they had in the first half, yet the Colgate defense, along with a couple nice saves from Miller, kept the Golden Eagles from scoring in the half. Unfortunately Boston College’s back line did the same and BC’s first half goals proved enough as they came away with a 2-0 win.

The Raiders ended the year with nothing to be ashamed about, as their 12-6-3 record shows. Expect big things from Colgate next year, as they gun for their third straight Patriot League title.